When you own a vehicle, auto repairs are constantly in the back of your mind. Owning a vehicle is not exactly cheap, especially when you don’t properly maintain it, and various systems and parts start breaking down. You wonder where you’ll get the money to pay for those expensive car repairs and how much the next repair is going to cost you. Paying a little more attention to preventative maintenance will help to lessen the burden of car repairs and you will be able to enjoy driving your vehicle longer and with fewer problems along the way.
According to an infographic from Auto Service Costs, there are some common auto repairs out there to be on the lookout for. If you are guilty of neglecting regular preventative maintenance, or if your car is just getting up there in years and mileage, you’re likely to encounter some of the following issues:
- Oxygen Sensor Failure
This could run around $240 and is often the diagnosis of a check engine light that has come on. They usually require replacement around 60,000-100,000 miles but it can occur earlier if your vehicle has not been well-taken care of. - Gas Cap Failure
Another cause of a check engine light warning could be that your gas cap needs to be tightened. It can cause gas fumes to leak from the tank. 95% of gas leaks in the engine are caused by an improperly tightened fuel cap. A new one can cost under $1. - Catalytic Converter Replacement
This is a much more expensive repair than that gas cap. This could end up costing around $1,000. This is a vital component of your vehicle’s emission control system, responsible for the recirculation of the unburned gas back to the engine and cleans up the car’s exhaust. A sulfur or rotten egg smell could mean a catalytic converter problem. - Mass Air Flow Sensor Replacement
This could run about $350. Another culprit of a check engine light, too. - Spark Plug Replacement
Another $200 for this repair. Spark plugs send electric current from the ignition and ignite fuel in the process. Without properly working spark plugs, your vehicle may not start or your gas mileage will dramatically decline. - EGR Valve Replacement
Plan on around $275 for this service. The valve comes with newer vehicles to help reduce carbon emissions by circulating small amounts of exhaust back to the engine’s combustion chambers. It also helps to keep your engine in top performance shape. Don’t wait on this. - Coolant Temp Sensor Replacement
In order to maintain your car’s temperature, you need coolant to regulate it. Coolant helps to prevent the engine from overheating. The service will cost around $125 but could save you thousands of dollars for an overheated engine and replacement. - Ignition Coil Replacement
If this happens, it could be around $225 because it is an important part of the car’s ignition system. It could result in stalling, no-starts, loss power and others. - Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement
Runs a little more at $350. The intake manifold gasket directs the air-fuel mixture to the cylinder where it is burned to produce power. Bad gaskets can have leaks which can result in contaminated engine oil. This is very important to maintain. - Aftermarket Electronics Repair
Another common issue that costs around $100. Adding parts can cost a pretty penny, but can also end up costing you even more in repairs.
These are just some of the most common auto repairs. Chances are, you’ve experienced other car issues that you’ve had to pay for. Remember, your best solution to preventing a large automotive repair bill is to be vigilant with preventative maintenance and following our interval service schedule the best you can. Budgeting, and spending a little money here and there could save a lot of money for a major repair down the road.
